The significance of the Joker card was not realized by the two students. Their only concern was saving Mr. Uraraka and getting a Pro and the police here.
He could smell the attacker.
"Ochako! Stay with your dad and tell the Pros everything!" Izuku said before he raced outside, following the smell as best as he could. He leapt down to the ground, down the street and into an alley before leaping upwards and climbing the side of a building, the smell getting more and more intense: Paint, blood, smoke….
He finally caught a glimpse of the attacker; a man in a tacky suit running upwards a dilpatated building, stopping ever so briefly to blow a raspberry and shoot a 'come and get it' gesture. Izuku was quick to follow, but when he made it to the top, the roof was empty and the once strong smell was fading…
"Oh, Shiggy junior! I'm over here!"
Changing his attention when the smell returned, Izuku followed the voice, using the cackling laughter at a beacon. All he ever made out of the attacker was a blur of white, green and purple…and that damned cackle.
Anger dwelled within the boy and suddenly, his wings re-emerged from his shoulders, and he took 6o the skies, aiming to capture the attacker, who seemed to catch sight of this and then jumped off the rooftop and into the streets below.
"Catch ya on the flip side, Shiggy Junior!"
Izuku landed and looked down, desperate to find ANYTHING of the found the roof in anger, Izuku then flew back to the Uraraka apartment, where he found his girlfriend helping her father get into an ambulance as Aizawa directed an investigation.
In the future, Izuku was regard this as the single greatest failure of his life.
SANCTUARY
The first thing Monoma saw when he opened his eyes was a bright light and darkness surrounding him everywhere else. At first, he believed he was dead, his thoughts returning to the Sports Festival and the searing pain he had been in.
"Ah, you're awake..."
Tilting his head to the side, Monoma saw a stout old man with a bushy mustache putting on surgical gloves and a mask as he typed away at a computer.
"I saw what happened at the Sports Festival. It's a good thing you were stabilized at Jakku Hospital when you were. It would be a shame to see someone of your potential go to waste like that."
"W-Where...Where am I?" The blonde wheezed out weakly as the doctor chuckled.
"This is my lab. That's all the context you're going to get. As for why you're here...well, that should be obvious."
"W-Why?"
Monoma suddenly gasped when a vial descended from the light, stabbing into him as it was held by a metallic arm. The vial injected some kind of purple liquid into the copycat's body and he suddenly began gasping in pain, his insides burning up.
"Don't worry, that's just the stabilizing agent. I can assure you that what happens next will be MUCH more painful..."
Monoma, grimacing and fighting back tears, managed to muster:
"W-why am I here? If its's ransom…"
"You're dead." Ujiko said bluntly. "Officially, your ambulance was in a traffic jam and despite the best efforts of the medics, you died on route to the hospital. Your parents have already had a funeral and mourned you. It was a lovely affair…although they did admit to spoiling you and not seeing how rotten you were until your fight with Hana. And besides, even if you did survive and return, remember: You were kicked out of the Hero course. Class 1B already has your replacement: Tsutsutaku Agoyamoto from General Ed."
The doctor then moved back to the console, looking for the right switch...ah! There it was!
"In other words, Neito Monoma?" The doctor smirked, always enjoying this part of his work. "You're a nobody. And nobodies are free reign to experiment on."
He then flipped he switch.
"No...N-No! No! NO!" Monoma cried as Dr. Ujiko laughed, a giant vat pouring a glowing substance all over Monoma, making him scream in agony as it seeped into his skin and altered his body, which painfully transformed as some of the goo went down his throat in the process, making him gag as he further transformed: his muscles bulging as his skin turned purple, his face vanishing into growing flesh…
"Yes, Monoma Neito, you are now as you should be and always have been...a PARASITE."
SANCTUARY
When Toshinori went to sleep that night, he had suspected a dream or two. Probably recalling some of his most daring saves, the affection and adoration of the public or hopefully, seeing Melissa, Izuku and the other kids surpass him.
He also wouldn't be opposed to that naughty dream that involved him, Miruko, Midnight and Ryukyu….So, when he saw THAT man, sitting in his mindscape, he was immeadtley on edge.
"Hello, All Might." All for One growled as he stood up. "We need to talk."
"About?" All Might growled, fighting back the urge to pummel this dream vision of his arch enemy; the man who killed all his predecessors and who, even now, haunted the world.
"Don't play dumb, it doesn't suit you. You know why I'm approaching you: HE is back, and he dared strike close to my grandson. Not only that, but he is aware of Izuku's relation to me." All for One reminded his most hated foe.
All Might had heard about the strike in question: The reason Ochako's mother was presumed missing and her father was in recovery at UA.
"Imagine how the public and remaining HPSC will react if Izuku is revealed to be of my blood." All For One pointed out. "Sancutary will fall apart and dismantled, chaos will erupt and Tomura will rampage in rage."
"You say all those like they're bad things." All Might retorted. "When haen;t you used such chaos to take advantage of…"
"MY GRANDSON IS INVOLVED IN THIS CHAOS, YOU MUSCLE BOUDN MORONIC GAIJIN!" All for One snapped, glaring at the man he laotehd above all else. "You probably didn't know this, as you never research, but I made damn sure that Youihci, Inko and Hisashi were never caught up in any of my schemes. Izuku is all I have left and despite of all he has gone, wants to help make the world a better place for all. If…THAT THING runs rampant, no amount of friends, secret support or even an enraged Tomura will help him…and I know that you care for him as well."
All Might did not deny this and nodded.
"What do you need?"
Taking a deep breath and standing up, All for One reached out a hand to shake.
"Strictly until that THING is out of our hair…We work together. The minute he's gone, its back to normal."
All Might looked at the hand and All for One, searching for any kind of deceit or trickery. But for once? He found none. With a sigh, All Might took the hand into one of his own and shook it.
"Agreed."
The two symbols glared at each other, not liking this more than the other. But if had to be done.
"Any idea as to how he…?"
"It." All for One corrected. "That THING is not human. It hasn't been since the Beyond Age. And no, no outright idea. But then again, it always did have a way of cheating even the most final of deaths in unexpected ways. And considering its long and colorful history? I'm almost uncertain if I want to know."
"…Fair point." All Might said. "I'll see if I can get…some friends…"
"I already know about the Shields." All for One groaned in annoyance. "But yes, use your western friends to see if they can find anything to explain. I already have some help of my own heading your way."
"Help? What kind of help?"
The supervillain smiled evilly as he started to fade away.
"What kind of help?!"
"We'll see each other soon enough All Might. Pray its when that thing is being dealt with. Otherwise…Well, I wou;dn't bet on you with my new body…"
"New body? What do you…?!" All Might demanded, his anger growing as his arhc-enemy began to laugh and gave a jaunty salute.
"Sayonara…All Might."
"ALL FOR ONE!"
The number one Pro then shot awake in a cold sweat and gasping for air in his room. He rubbed the worry in his eyes as he racked his brain, trying to figure out what kind of 'help' All for One could be sending and already regretting agreeing to this.
"Urm…" His bedmate groaned, stirring from their own deep sleep. "T-Toshi? Sweetheart? What's wrong?"
Eyes half lidded with sleep and otherwise filled with concern, Midnight stirred, holding the blanket to her chest.
SANCTUARY
As Nedzu had promised, The REVOCS Revolution had been used in lieu of Internships for Class Sanctuary, something they ahd all received great marks in, although there was room to improve. The kids were all grateful for this, as it gave them to heal and rest up.
Well, most of them; Akira had ignored Recovery Girl's orders to go on a date with Hinako and catch up with Rai and Tsuki. And Melissa and Izuku were busy researching…Well, Melissa more than Izuku:
The Draconic boy was on his phone with Ochako, who was on a quick break under Gunhead: The Pro was disappointed he wasn't teaching Izuku, but was otherwise very supportive and encouraging of both of the two lovebirds…even lightly teasing Ochako, who welcomed the teasing. It made her not worry about her family.
"I'll see you soon, Izuku. I hope I didn't interrupt anything important…" Ochako said.
"What's more important that you?" Izuku asked, only realizing his classmates heard that; most smiling at his devotion, Melissa herself gaving a lighthearted shake of her head. "Just be safe and don't hesitate to call if you need to talk, I can get to your dad in three seconds flat. Also, tell Gunhead he's my first choice for a Job placement.'
"Will do. I love you."
"I love you too." Izuku then ended the call and returned to helping Melissa, who was now joined by Amity, Luz and Ellie.
"Why the heck you looking up history?" The large girl asked. "And about…that guy of all things?"
"Ellie, you know why." Amity groaned. "Still, not sure I like visiting THIS part of American history."
"…Who we talking about?" Katriana asked. "I swear these pictures look familiar, but…"
"The Joker." Luz cut in, not comfortable with this topic clear. "THE Supervillain before Quirks took over. Murderer of close to a million people, creator of a gas so deadly and harmful not even extreme terorrists dare touch it…And all that, while Quirkless."
"He's basically to America what All for One is to Japan, only three generations earlier and well…You can see." Penny replied as she displayd what the others had found: Videos and news clippings of a man in white face, ruby lips and a tacky purple suit, killing and cackling all the way.
"….He's like Malsumis to the extrerme." Rorimoya said.
"…Who?" Ken asked.
"Malsumis. God of all things inconvienant and evil in Native American folklore." Roromiya explained. "Imagine you go to a party and there's cheesecake. You cut the cheesecake and take a bite, only to realize it is filled with bees. That is what Malsumis is like."
"…You might want to re-evaluate that comparison…" Melissa began, only for Roromiya to cut her off:
"And then someone comes up, and they're like, "I have bee poison". They put it in the cake and kill the bees. But then it's poisonous. Then they say, "I also have bee antidote. It will make it safe, but some bees will live." So now you have a cake with bees that may or may not sting you. This is also Malsumis."
"….Roromiya, have you been watching Abridged series again?" Luz asked. "I've told you, RESEARCH THEN TAKE WHAT THEY SAY LITERALLY!"
"Sato is gone and I'm bored."
Suddenly, the TV began glitching, catching everyone off-guard. It was then that Masato noticed a familiar symbol flickering on the TV; a green question mark.
"Guys, it's the Riddler! He's back!"
This got everyone's attention as they immediately gathered around the TV, narrowing their eyes as they anticipated the Riddler's latest sick game.
Soon, the TV showed the Riddler, sitting at a desk and seemingly chatting live as he casually waved in real-time.
"Hey guys, how's it going?" He asked in a friendly manner. "I have a new game for us to play today."
"Cut the crap, Riddler. How are you doing this? Why are you doing this?!" Masato snapped.
"Its one thing to use the dark web, then take over the UA Jumbotron…BUT LIVESTREAMING THROUGH OUR TV?!" Noi snapped. "DO YOU HAVE NO STANDARDS?!"
"Oh, you'd love to know the whole story, would you?" Riddler chuckled, shaking his head. "But all questions have answers...and I'm willing to answer ONE question."
"What's your game this time?" Amity asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Direct, I like it!" Riddler laughed. "You see...after your noble efforts in tearing down REVOCS, I found Mrs. Kiryuin, all alone and broken with nobody to fix her...so I fixed her up. Even made a lovely little video for you. Ladies, if you'd be so kind?"
The screen then flickered and glitched before it came back to life, revealing Ragyo, brusied, battered and imprints of her cuffs clear. Even despite losing everything, she still smirked.
"This is it? Your and Takeshi's big plan is to leave me in a put to starve? Give me a day and.."
"First Riddle! I make you see the beauty of nature through colors. My name makes things weigh less and I have no weight at all. What am I?"
"Light. Without it, you see nothing." Luz guessed, getting looks. "You do realize my name is literally 'light' in Spanish, right?"
"Oh yeah."
"Right."
"Forgot that."
On the screen, Ragyo looked confused, than answered.
"Light!"
The room she was in suddenly burst into lbright, flashing and colorful lights.
"SECOND Riddle! I sparkle and shine with beauty and pizazz. I may be small, but I am strong enough to cut glass. What am I?"
"A diamond!" Crona quickly responed, Ragyo doing the same on screen…just as A stream of water then burst, slicing Ragyo's ankles open.
"Well, a diamond cutter in this case, but yes." Riddler said before moving the camera. "Thus, we come to today."
The madwoman was show chained upwards, battered but still smirking
"What? You plan to do to me what you did to Uwabami?" She smirked
"Ew, god no." Riddler grimaced. "Tell me something, do you feel...funny in the stomach area?"
Ragyo rose an eyebrow, not sure what that was supposed to mean...but now that she thought about it? Yes. Yeah she did feel something...
Riddler then zoomed the camera out, stepping in front of it and urging the viewer a second. He then pulled out a mirror in front of Ragyo.
...
...
"What...what have...Why would...?" Ragyo asked, no more conifence in her.
Riddler moved out of the way, revealing the horrid sight: He had peeled away the flesh from Ragyo's stomach, exposing her muscles...and nerves. The studenst barely held their lunches in.
The masked man moved to a table, grabbling a sewing needle and a BB gun.
"Ordinarily, these can only bruise of prick. But...Applied directly to the nerve, out in the cold air?"
He poked Ragyo with the needle
The madwoman screamed in pain, tears erupting from the needle just touching her exposed stomach
Riddler pulled the needle away and cocked the BB gun.
"W-w-wait!" Ragyo pleaded.
"...Did your daughters ever say the same? Did you wait?" Riddler asked.
"…No." Nui said, looking down at her feet and fighting back memories. "She never did."
Ragyo, still sobbing and snivelling, gasped
"This isn't just because of them and REVOCS you know." Riddler said. "I won't bore you with details but just know this: You, Jinko and a few other people in power? You destroyed not only my life, but the lives of so many other children. Children who, sometimes, were my friends. Children who could've done great things if greed hadn't decided they didn't need food and warmth to survive."
Riddler took a few steps back and took aim
"Any last words, Miss Kiriyin?"
The video cut to black
Nui was staring at the scene in shock as Riddler returned to his facetime screening. Despite his mask, everyone could tell he was grinning.
"And that was only her part of the game. Now, it's time for all of you to play your part."
"What part, you sick fuck?!" Jinx snarled.
"Simple, you've been putting the pieces of the puzzle together for me and this is the latest one. See if you can correctly solve it and respond to the URL when you can...BYE~!"
With that, the facetime recording cut off, leaving only a black screen as green text appeared:
'IN SHINING LIGHT, MY DARKNESS IS ALWAYS CLEAR, BUT NOT ALWAYS SEEN. EVERYONE KNOWS ME, YET NO ONE CARES TO NAME ME. WHAT AM I?'
SANCTUARY
At the same time the police were called to investigate a noise and smell complaint at a run down building…one that held a certain secret.
"So, this is where the Firestarter..?" One officer started as the investigation began
"Izuku Midoriya." Tsukuachi corrected. "Use his name, he saved the city. And yes, this is where he, Himiko Bakugo and the others were kept. Surprised its still standin and an Apartment building of all things after all that."
"…That freak should've stayed here." The officer grumbled, only to be pushed out the door.
"If you're going in with that mindset, stay and keep an eye out for anything."
After shooting his cat headed partner a grateful nod, Tsukauchi made his way up to the room in question, knocking on the door.
"POLICE! WE HAVE A WARRANT!"
He then busted the door down, pistol at the ready. He was greeted by a horrid smell, old meat and sterilizing cleaner. The room was dark and dirty, except for a gleaming scalpel and…a potato peeler?
Carefully bagging the two instruments as he heard his fellow officers coming up, Tsukauchi nodded when an officer revealed she had found a DVD decorated in familiar question mark, which was addressed to Class Sancutary with a note:
TO BE PLAYED AFTER LAST RECEIVED RIDDLE.
With a sigh, the detective held in his puke as he began to follow the awful smell. He then came to a room where he saw a horrid sight:
There, was Ragyo Kiryuin, bound and gagged to the bed…and her skin peeled off.
Now, in police work, you see a lot of horrid, disgusting things, even in the age of Quirks and heroes. Murder, rape, pedophilia, all things Tsukuachiu had seen. But this? This stood out in his top three worst sights.
Barely holding in his bile, he reached for his radio.
"This is Detective Tsukauchi. We have found Ragyo Kiryuin's body. Riddler is indeed the killer. I repeat.."
"RRRRM URM!"
The body sddenly burst upward, flaying and screaming under the gag.
"HOLY SHIT, SHE'S ALIVE! SHE'S ALIVE! THE FUCKING CUNT'S ALIVE!"
TO BE CONTINUED…..
Mrotrax A/N: Happy New year everyone! Hoping 2023 is treating you well. Once again, major props to Knightmare Lord for all his amazing work; you blew it out of the park!
This chapter was meant to be MUCH longer and end up at a, I believe, highly anticipated point which I will spoil beyond a single word: PROS. I am indeed sorry for the first update of tis story in the new year ending so darkly and horrifically. But I think you've all waited long enough
Next update, hopefully on next Wednesday, will get to the rest of this chapter, which I can promise you all will be MUCH lighter and have some interesting twists and turns, some action based and some emotional.
Until we meet again here? Leave a review and tay safe, warm and be happy, would ye kindly?
